GFMG: Goals set for the Global Alliance on Media and Gender

Bangkok, 6 December: The Global Forum on Media and Gender (GFMG) ended on a high note this week with participants agreeing that there is need for urgent action to address gender gaps that exist in the media. One of the immediate recommendations is the finalisation of the draft framework and action plan to guide the goals of the Global Alliance on Media and Gender (GAMG).

The forum, which kicked off on Monday, sought to discuss the formation and vision of the GAMG, formulate recommendations for the post-2015 development agenda and the 2015 UN Conference on Women. The vision and recommendations seek to enhance and promote gender equality in and through the media.

During the closing ceremony, participants agreed that the alliance must be set up by 2015, which is the deadline for both the SADC Gender Protocol and Millennium Development Goal Three on gender equality.

The draft framework and action plan outlines the GAMG’s rationale, proposed structure and areas of focus. Yunus Karklins, United Nations Education and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) Director for Communication and Information said UNESCO will continue to accept recommendations for the framework until 15 December 2013.

The current draft is based on the suggestions gathered during regional consultations that preceded the conference last month. Gender Links hosted an advisory meeting in Johannesburg in early November for the Gender and Media Diversity Centre (GMDC), made up of Southern African media trainers, activists and NGOs, who discussed a possible mandate for the GAMG.

The youngest participant at the conference, Adama Lee Ah, Chairperson of Young Women in Media-Gambia, received a standing ovation after her speech. She expressed disappointment that when the Beijing Declaration was adopted, she was just a baby, and yet now as an 18-year-old woman, the world is still so far from achieving gender equality. Lee Ah urged participants to move beyond deliberations to implementation, also emphasising the need for young voices in the alliance steering committee.

Participants noted that although the Beijing Declaration is a good instrument, there has been no clear coordination and collaboration to achieve its principles. The formation of the GAGM presents an opportunity to define progress indicators, set up strong monitoring and evaluation systems as well as clear timeframes for implementation.

Bushra Al Ameen, Executive Director of Almahaba FM in Iraq said the conference had succeeded in bringing partners together to discuss a common goal to achieve gender equality in the media. She added that although there has been a lot of progress, it is vital that global cooperation begins immediately.

Speaking on behalf of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union, Corletha Olivierre said effective networking is what will drive the GAMG, adding that they are prepared to work with UNESCO and partners ensure that gender equality is firmly on the United Nation’s post-2015 agenda. She noted that with less than two years to go before 2015, global collaboration and action has to start now.

Alton Grizzle, UNESCO Programme Specialist on Communication and Information, echoed these sentiments urging participants to keep up the momentum, energy and enthusiasm that they demonstrated throughout the forum.

Sikhonzile Ndlovu is the Media Programme Manager at Gender Links. This article forms part of the Gender Links News Service special coverage of the Global Forum on Media and Gender, currently underway in Bangkok.